ESPN Corporate Comms VP Mike Soltys Cut After 43 Years in Disney Layoffs

thewrap.com:

https://t.co/qaWi807zBR“My final statement as ESPN Spokesperson: “43 Amazing Years. Wow. We wish him well,” Soltys tweeted Monday.

The layoffs come as part of a plan previously introduced in February by returning Disney CEO Bob Iger to cut 7,000 jobs. The first wave of layoffs occurred in March, which left their mark across departments, including Disney’s metaverse division (which was shuttered) and Marvel Entertainment (which was folded into Disney and lost CEO Ike Perlmutter, who contends he was fired), and impacted employees of high senior management levels along with lower-level executives.“As we advance as a core segment of Disney, with operational control and financial responsibility, we must further identify ways to be efficient and nimble.

We will continue to focus our workforce on initiatives that are most closely aligned with our critical priorities and emphasize decision-making and responsibility deeper into the organization,” ESPN chair Jimmy Pitaro said in a memo to employees. “That said, I do not want to minimize the enormous toll of saying goodbye to dedicated colleagues that have worked tirelessly to strengthen ESPN and deliver for sports fans.

The people of ESPN, and their constant resolve to get the job done, to excel and to innovate, have built this place. We will act with compassion, respect for our colleagues, and professionalism as we face these hard circumstances.”A spokesperson declined to disclose the total number of cuts at ESPN.The memo notes that employees in the current wave will hear from their leader and HR partner this week, while notifications for a third wave involving employees not in front-facing talent roles will be completed by the start of the summer. “To those that will be leaving.